CT scan risks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.independent.co.uk/health-and-wellbeing/mri-scan-injection-oxalic-acid-b2732737.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJqgtVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsnxScux-bytPLWcDl7uR5_Es_oQqJFCS3qGd0M3i9rMq55QHQVrLFA9vR4B_aem_0EVSOigVeoYyxEhenMNViQ

That is about MRI and not CT scan.

Correct. Someone posted that MRI’s are safer but the contrast used with MRI’s causes some people a lifetime of problems.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and this doesn’t really justify a CT scan. I wouldn’t do it.

[Anonymous]

I've had two sinus CT scans and would not hesitate to have another. The risks are so minim.

[Anonymous]

“CT scans use ionizing radiation, which can potentially increase the risk of cancer, especially with multiple or high-dose scans. Contrast dye used in some CT scans can also have side effects, including kidney issues or allergic reactions. While the radiation dose from a typical CT scan is considered low, the cumulative effect over time and in certain populations, like children, is a concern.”

I’d only do a CT scan for my child if absolutely life or limb saving

[Anonymous]

The CT scan would not worry me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t unless the breathing issues were a really big deal. What does he think he will see in the sinuses? most likely it is allergies.

It’s likely not allergies as it’s not seasonal and is the same when we travel anywhere. The issues are constant and do bother her a lot.

of course you do it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

It’s not zero risk and imagining is often recommended when it’s not necessary. CT scans are known to increase cancer risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

It’s not zero risk and imagining is often recommended when it’s not necessary. CT scans are known to increase cancer risks.

I think this is correct and what's tough is doctors don't really warn you about all this. They are so focused on the best tool to diagnose the specific ailment they treat, and not on the patient's well-being and whole life picture. So it's about weighing the risks/benefits to you, specifically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

It’s not zero risk and imagining is often recommended when it’s not necessary. CT scans are known to increase cancer risks.

I think this is correct and what's tough is doctors don't really warn you about all this. They are so focused on the best tool to diagnose the specific ailment they treat, and not on the patient's well-being and whole life picture. So it's about weighing the risks/benefits to you, specifically.

Agree. Plus having it done young puts an even greater risk for developing cancer. A 15 yr old has a lot of life to live and a lot of time for cells to mutate. Cancer from a CT scan given in childhood increases cancer risk significantly compared to a CT scan given to a 50+ yr old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

It’s not zero risk and imagining is often recommended when it’s not necessary. CT scans are known to increase cancer risks.

I think this is correct and what's tough is doctors don't really warn you about all this. They are so focused on the best tool to diagnose the specific ailment they treat, and not on the patient's well-being and whole life picture. So it's about weighing the risks/benefits to you, specifically.

Agree. Plus having it done young puts an even greater risk for developing cancer. A 15 yr old has a lot of life to live and a lot of time for cells to mutate. Cancer from a CT scan given in childhood increases cancer risk significantly compared to a CT scan given to a 50+ yr old

NP. I would assume that the usual treatments like allergy meds have already been tried and that this is not the ENT jumping to a CT scan for allergies. Yes, CT scans can cause a very small increase in your risk for cancer. They can also see things that are already growing in your head that you really would rather not be there and the discovery of which would significantly outweigh the background risk of the scan.

OP, why don't you ask the ENT to explain his thinking? He may be wanting to rule out something more serious that he hasn't mentioned to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to your doctor about treating your anxiety.

This is a ridiculous response. Yes. Op there are risks and they recently found a lot of scanners have more radiation than thought, but I've had a few and the one I had on sinuses was worth it. Found polyps that were easily treated. They didn't need surgery-some do. That said back when I had a kidney stone issue the urologist wanted me to do yearly CT scans and thought I was nuts to refuse. Did a follow up years later when I needed to have just in case pain meds and his recommendation at changed according to research. He felt I did not need CT scans unless I was struggling a lot. I was not. I knew the signs, drank a lot of lemon water and could pass them. Occasionally I needed pain prescription pain meds if it was late at night and not passing well, but that was rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

This. Some get secondary cancers like someone I know. It'd all about weighing risks.

[Anonymous]

OP is this to rule out cysts, tumors, fungal growth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also- remember that cancer patients, those with autoimmune issues like Crohns, those with head injuries, etc., are scanned frequently- sometimes yearly .

… which increases their cancer risk.

Still low. And people fly all the time.

+1. Humans are terrible about putting risk in perspective.

It’s not zero risk and imagining is often recommended when it’s not necessary. CT scans are known to increase cancer risks.

I think this is correct and what's tough is doctors don't really warn you about all this. They are so focused on the best tool to diagnose the specific ailment they treat, and not on the patient's well-being and whole life picture. So it's about weighing the risks/benefits to you, specifically.

Agree. Plus having it done young puts an even greater risk for developing cancer. A 15 yr old has a lot of life to live and a lot of time for cells to mutate. Cancer from a CT scan given in childhood increases cancer risk significantly compared to a CT scan given to a 50+ yr old

From just one CT scan? Is there particular type of cancer that is a risk?